Operators cite limited backup and prolonged load shedding; PTA engages stakeholders to stabilise services
Widespread electricity load shedding across Pakistan is increasingly disrupting telecom services, with users reporting deteriorating internet connectivity and mobile network coverage in multiple areas.
Consumers say that during power outages, mobile signals drop sharply, affecting both internet access and voice calls, leaving many unable to stay connected for extended periods.
Telecom operators attribute the worsening situation to limited backup capacity at base transceiver station (BTS) towers, noting that most sites are equipped with batteries that provide only one to one-and-a-half hours of backup power.
They added that in many urban areas, generators are not installed at telecom sites, making networks vulnerable during prolonged outages. Even where backup systems exist, batteries require three to four hours of charging, further compounding service disruptions during frequent load shedding cycles.
Operators said the issue has been formally raised with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), highlighting the growing impact of energy shortages on network reliability.
PTA officials confirmed receiving complaints from users regarding degraded telecom services during load shedding and said the regulator is in continuous coordination with operators to address the issue.
Authorities noted that existing licensing conditions do not mandate generators at every telecom site, though newer licenses include stricter requirements to improve infrastructure resilience.
Officials said efforts are underway to stabilise services, but acknowledged that persistent power shortages remain a major structural challenge affecting telecom performance nationwide.
Analysts warn that without improvements in energy supply and telecom infrastructure, service reliability is likely to remain inconsistent, particularly in areas facing prolonged and frequent power outages.
The situation highlights the growing interdependence between Pakistan’s energy and digital sectors, where electricity disruptions are increasingly translating into widespread communication breakdowns.
